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It has been about 8 years since I went to India, and a place like that stays with you. It was a wonderful culture shock and a whirlwind of a trip involving driving a tut tut, gazing at the Taj Mahal, almost being kidnapped, meeting amazing people, crazy trains, cows, palm trees, azure waters, coconuts and bananas and of course colour, pattern and sound! Today I fancied diving back into those exciting hues and explore some interiors inspired by India. Take a peek..

Amazingly detailed room in a ice-cream blue. I love how Indian architecture is so decorative, saturated in embellishment and exotic hues.

The beauty of a hot climate is bringing the inside out, with faded pink, intricate lanterns and handmade textiles this garden is a paradise.

With so much to take in it can be nice zooming in, the powder blues here magnify the skill involved in this botanical carving.

This is very similar to a sari I have, a great way to bring some interest to window treatment.

Amazingly green! So fresh and vibrant.

You can never have too many Indian textiles! Pile them up for visual happiness.

A grand Indian home edged in candy striped pink and golden yellow. Love the canopied chairs.

There’s an old world beauty to this deep jade bathroom. Dark furniture sits alongside a myriad of pattern.

This is an easy way to add some ornate interest into your home, inlaid furniture. Though upcylcing an aged chest of draws with some bright paint, a steady hand and white stencilling might do the trick (see below).

This immensely pink interior I remember spotting in a Vogue years ago, owned by Fashion designer Liza Bruce and her artist husband.

There is an antique shop where I live that has random richly carved Indian doors, I love running my fingers over them!

Just look at the amazing detail of this room – its like a festival of colour and illustration.

If that is a little bit much for your happy home, how about adding some regal Indian opulence with a crushed velvet cushion.

And finally the amazing architecture that is the pink palace in Jaipur. Sadly I never got to see this in the flesh, but my trip to India will serve as rich pickings for inspiration for many years to come. So hope I make it back!

Its sizzling hot here is Cornwall today, lovely and very much holiday weather. It does make my toes appreciate a good, cool, slab of tile underfoot. In my kitchen its grey slate but today I am exploring geometric beauty and rich exotic shades. Tiles to me have a far away feel. I loved the ones I came across in India and Morocco. So much detail on something we just walk over.

This is how I think the universe would look if tiled. The deep inky blue is carved up with mesmerising shapes.

Lovely layered tiles just like mermaid scales. Every shade is beautiful in its own right.

The leaves may be begging to fall off the trees but I want to hold onto the blooms of summer and spring, so today my offering is full of chinoiserie. The style is mainly found in stately European homes and dates back to the seventeenth century. Chinoiserie reflected the exotic orient, Chinese blossoms and asymmetric sweeping branches in bloom with lacquer and shine. I think this opulent style of decoration can work just as well in a small modern home. It can add a little finesse and glow, a lovely antidote to the sometimes cold ice-white interiors.

To dip your toe into this exotic decorating style, try adding a piece of furniture and stick with a simple colour theme.

Or plunge right in! Isn’t this amazing? Imagine being a child in this place, your very own interior forest!!

The impact of this wallpaper is quite impressive! Probably it is a good thing it is placed behind the bed though, I might not sleep.

I love the idea of doing it yourself, you can actually buy this wardrobe ready painted, and it is gorgeous, but with some wallpaper or clever painting you could transform dreary old scuffed furniture to a piece with a story to tell.

If we are thinking old school then few beat the warmth of this cosy red chinoiserie room, comfortably layered.

The immense beauty of the rose-copper hue in this wall is breathtaking, imagine this room bathed in late summer light.

For a little more white I love this silvered interior. The blue blossoms add character to an open space.

Try contemporary and contained. Even a Scandinavian inspired interior benefits from botanical blooms.

A panel is a great way to add some chinoiserie style cheaply, especially if you are renting and can’t wallpaper.

I would so love this room to be mine. Despite the mix of pattern it seems so tranquil and inspiring, to curl up with a book or to sit and write would be a dream!

Chinoiserie is ripe for contrast. The intense blue works so well against the pale salmon pink and gilded wood.